Atlas Air Worldwide expands commitment to workforce development with University of Alaska Anchorage

Atlas Air Worldwide reaffirmed its partnership with the University of Alaska Anchorage. Leaders from Atlas and UAA, along with faculty and students, were joined by United States Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy at Merrill Field in Anchorage. The Secretary is spearheading the Trump Administration’s efforts to invest in the aviation workforce, modernize the air traffic control system, enhance safety, and address nationwide shortages of pilots, controllers, and mechanics.

U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy commented: “President Trump and I are on a mission to make our airspace the envy of the world. We will build a brand-new air traffic control system and address a chronic shortage of controllers and pilots. President Trump’s One Big, Beautiful Bill delivered over $100 million into the Don Young Alaska Aviation Safety Initiative to deploy state of the art technology and train the next generation of aviation talent. I applaud Atlas Air Worldwide for doing their part to contribute to this mission.”

Michael Steen, Atlas Air Worldwide Chief Executive Officer stated: “We are proud to continue our partnership with the University of Alaska Anchorage by creating opportunities to advance aviation education. By investing in workforce development locally, we are advancing our commitment to aviation in Alaska, and to the resilience of the broader aerospace industry. We are fully dedicated to supporting the efforts led by President Trump and Secretary Duffy to make our airspace the global gold standard.”

Ray Weber, Dean of UAA's Community & Technical College said: “We are grateful to Atlas Air Worldwide for its continued investment in UAA and our students. This generous donation is transformative, helping us build a more qualified workforce that is vital to Alaska's economic future and the broader industry. Thanks to Atlas, our students are gaining the training and credentials needed to pursue fulfilling careers, securing brighter prospects for the state's workforce and beyond.”

Aviation is essential to Alaska’s economy, with Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport ranking among the world’s top five busiest cargo hubs. The University of Alaska Anchorage is widely recognized for its top-tier aerospace program, which ensures students are equipped with the expertise needed to fill these critical roles. To further support Alaska’s aviation workforce development, Atlas has also announced the renewal of its scholarship program, which helps students offset educational costs as they prepare for careers in aviation.

The new round of funding builds on Atlas-sponsored scholarships announced in 2024—four for maintenance technician students and three for aspiring pilots—and aims to develop a robust pipeline of talent for the sector.